Realtors at the Gates

NC Realtor astroturf popped up yesterday in Gates County:

Unlike previous similar groups in other counties where the "Custodian of Books" is William DePriest of the NC Association of Realtors (NCAR) in Greensboro with a local Treasurer signing, in this case there is no pretense of a local organization. William DePriest of NCAR is both the Treasurer and Custodian of Books for "Gates County Citizens Against Higher Taxes".

Meanwhile Ashe County Commissioners have decided to put the Transfer Tax to a referendum on May 6th according to the Jefferson Post:

The commissioners chose the land transfer tax because they said it would provide the most money with the least impact on local residents.

Commissioner Larry Rhodes said the board looked long and hard at these choices, and noted that while sales tax is paid every day, a land transfer tax is a one-time tax on a property sale. He said 80% of recent property sales are to second homeowners from outside Ashe County.

Chairman Blackburn added that of the remaining 20% of property sales, 7% are by speculators, 10% by locals, and 3% are gifts or inherited transfers, which would not be impacted by the land transfer tax.

No astroturf yet in Ashe County but it's only a matter of time.